That IT show

How a Tiny Chip Revolutionized Computing II: The Incredible Story of ARM (Episode 21)

Welcome to another episode of ThatITShow podcast. In this episode, we will continue down the path that was laid out in the 6502 episode that we did in April 2023. We will discuss the important story of the early history of ARM processors, tracing their roots back to the remarkable journey of ACORN, 6502, and BBC Micro. Join us as we talk about how a small British computer company revolutionized the world of microprocessors, laying the foundation for the birth of ARM - a true technological marvel that has since become ubiquitous in our modern devices. Get ready to embark on a captivating journey through time, exploring the fascinating origins of one of the most influential architectures in computing history.

UNIX and Linux: The Birth of a Technological Renaissance (Episode 20)

In this episode, we embark on a historical journey through the fascinating world of UNIX and Linux. Discover the origins of UNIX, a groundbreaking operating system that revolutionized computing. From its humble beginnings at Bell Labs to its global impact, we talk about the visionary pioneers who shaped its legacy.

We talk about UNIX as a stepping stone into the Linux revolution, an open-source movement that propelled Linux to the forefront of technology. Explore the collaborative ethos and the remarkable individuals who championed the philosophy of sharing and innovation.

This podcast episode is a celebration the history that defined the history of UNIX and Linux. Journey with us as we honor human ingenuity, the power of collaboration, and the enduring legacy of UNIX and Linux in shaping our modern technological landscape.

Nostalgia meets technology: A look back from Spectrum and Amstrad to PCs of the 2000s (Episode 19)

Welcome to this episode of our podcast, where we'll be taking a bit of a trip down the memory lane to our early computing days. Basically, you can treat this episode as an "Intro to computers and computing" from less-than-adult kids who were born in the late 70s/beginning of the 80s. 

Back then, the world of computing was a vastly different place than it is today. Computers were not as widespread as they are now, and there was much to learn about these new, exciting machines.

In this episode, we will explore the early days of home computing and the machines that sparked our curiosity. We will discuss the differences between the Spectrum and Amstrad, their unique features, and how they compared to other computers of the time.

Our laptop software IT battle-ready kit: What we use and why (Episode 18)

Welcome to this episode of our podcast, where we will discuss the software we use on our laptops. We rely heavily on computers and the various software programs that we use to perform everyday tasks. From web browsing to document editing, a plethora of software options are available to us, each with its unique set of features and capabilities. In this episode, we will dive deep into the world of laptop software, exploring the different types of available software, their features and benefits, and how they can help us be more productive and efficient in our system engineering lives. Whether you are a student, a professional, or simply a technology enthusiast, this episode is sure to provide valuable insights into the software that you use regularly. So, sit back, relax, and join us as we take a journey through the world of laptop software.

PowerShell horror stories: Has Microsoft lost its CLI mojo? (Episode 17)

In this episode, we will explore the problems and inconsistencies of PowerShell and its ability to crash Active Directory for some unknown reason. We consider PowerShell to be a very powerful tool that can greatly simplify system administration tasks, but its unpredictable nature can lead to disastrous consequences, like complete Active Directory crash. Furthermore, to illustrate the inconsistencies of PowerShell, we will examine examples of Hyper-V and its integration with PowerShell. We will demonstrate how even small variations in PowerShell commands can have a significant impact on Hyper-V administration.

Perpetual Licenses: A Dying Breed or a Hidden Gem? (Episode 16)

Subscription and perpetual licenses are two models for software licensing today. In a lot of cases, we can choose between perpetual or subscription-based licensing - but not always. Subscription licenses allow users to pay a recurring fee for a specified period of time, typically monthly or annually. Perpetual licenses, on the other hand, require a one-time upfront payment for the software license, which can be used indefinitely.

How a Tiny Chip Revolutionized Computing: The Incredible Story of the 6502 CPU (Episode 15)

In this episode, we tell the fascinating story of the 6502 processor and its incredible impact on the world of computing. Originally developed in the 1970s as a low-cost alternative to more expensive processors, the 6502 quickly became a game-changer, powering everything from video game consoles to personal computers. We explore the chip's journey from obscurity to billions of units sold, and how it helped pave the way for modern computing technology. We dive into the technical details of the 6502 processor and explore how its unique architecture made it faster, more efficient, and more accessible than competing processors of its time. We also examine some of the famous devices that relied on the 6502, such as the Atari 2600, the Apple II, Nintendos etc. Also, we discuss the way in which we use 6502 in our courses, to educate our students in computer architecture and assembly language. 6502's story is also a story of the people behind the chip, including its creators, who defied conventional wisdom to bring their vision to life, and the passionate community of programmers and enthusiasts who embraced the 6502 and helped push the boundaries of what was possible with computing technology. We also discuss the enduring legacy of the 6502 processor and how its impact can still be felt today. From the rise of the home computer to the birth of the internet, the 6502 played a vital role in shaping the IT industry that we know today.

Modern laptop designs - the good, the bad, the ugly, and the unbearable - (Episode 14)

In this episode, we delve into the problems with the design of modern laptops and how they affect users' productivity. We start by discussing the trend of making laptops thinner and lighter, which has resulted in compromises on performance, battery life, and ergonomics. We show this via examples of MacBook Pro's, Dell XPS's and Lenovo laptops, although basically all laptop manufacturer designs are comparably good and bad. At the end of this episode, we also discuss about some recommendations and thoughts on how to make them better. We also check one very "special" laptop for a special purpose - and anyone working in datacenter should seriously consider having one of those.